291 Part I11—kighteenth Annual Report 
Selache maxima (Gunner). The Basking Shark. 
A young specimen measuring 8 feet in length was captured in 
Maidens Bay, near Turnberry, Ayrshire (Scotsman newspaper, September 
26th, 1898). This record was confirmed by the Fishery Officer at Girvan. 
Dr. Landsborough, in his Natural History of Arran, refers to the occur- 
rence of this fish in the Clyde, and says (pp. 95, 96):—“ A century ago 
it was a frequent visitor to the Clyde, and was taken at 
Ballantrae, in Ayrshire, as well as in Arran. It made its appearance in 
the first or second week in June, and generally remained only for three 
or four weeks, though occasionally seen considerably later. . . . Now 
it is seldom seen.” Dr, Landsborough also describes the means by which 
the fishermen of Arran usually captured these sharks. 
Fam. SCYLLIIDA. 
Scylliwm canicula (Linné). The Lesser Spotted Dog-fish, Rough Hound. 
“A very young specimen, 8 inches long, was obtained in the Sound 
of Sanda, at a depth of 20 fathoms” (Giinther). Two specimens, each 
about 25 inches in length, were captured by the “Garland” at Station 
I, Firth of Clyde, on May 25th, 1897, and three specimens, measuring 
respectively 25, 28, and 29 inches in length, were captured on the same 
day in the vicinity of Sanda Island. In a male specimen 122 inches long» 
taken in 60 fathoms between the Mull of Cantyre and Corsewall 
Point on May 15th, the spots are distinctly larger than they are on the 
adult specimens, especially on the anterior portion of the body. This 
specimen is now in the collection of fishes in the Fishery Board’s 
Laboratory, Bay of Nigg, Aberdeen. 
[ Scylliwm catulus, Cuvier. The Larger Spotted Dog-fish, Nurse Hound. 
The following notice appeared in the North British Daily Mail of 
December 11th, 1899 :— 
“One of the Girvan great-line boats on Saturday, the 9th inst., had an 
unusual catch of dog or hound sharks. No fewer than seven were caught 
in the great-lines, set in Lendal Bay, south of Girvan. Some of them 
measured about 5 feet in length and 24 inches in girth. The species is 
known as S. catulus, or rock shark. The females were full of well- 
developed eggs. Where they abound they are most destructive to the 
fishermen by taking their bait and hooks off the lines. The fish were cut 
up for bait for the crab and lobster creels.” |* 
Pristiurus melanostomus (Bonaparte). The Black-Mouthed Dog-fish. 
“Two adult males in Upper Loch Fyne, 37 fathoms” (Giinther). 
One captured by a Cumbrae fisherman was exhibited at a meeting of the 
Natural History Society of Glasgow on January 26th, 1869. The black- 
mouthed dog-fish is occasionally brought into Hast Tarbert amongst the 
Acanthii in the winter fishing (B. & 8.). Upper Loch Fyne, in 10 to 20 
fathoms (M.). Captured by the ‘‘Garland” in the deep water between 
‘Arran and Turnberry Point. 
Fam. SPINAcIDA. 
Acanthias vulgaris, Risso. Picked Dog-fish. 
Sometimes of common occurrence in the Olyde and Loch Fyne, 
“There appears to have been some mistake on the part of the writer of the above note 
concerning the name of the fish landed at Girvan on December 9th. I am able to state 
conclusively that the fish landed were Tope or Topers, Galeus canis, and not Scyllvum 
catulus as stated (see page 289). I have been unable hitherto to obtain any satisfactory 
information as to the occurrence of the Larger Spotted Dog-fish within the Clyde 
estuary. 
Syne ae 
